Switch-operating mechanism.



W. THIEDE.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLlCATKON nmuuucza. 1915.

1,284,491. Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

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WILLIAM THIEDE, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed June 23, 1916. Serial No. 105,383.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM THIEDE, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSwitch- Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in switch operating mechanism, andthe object of my improvement is to produce a switch for electrical usefor making and breaking the connections for electrical circuits and inwhich the operation of the switch, involving turning the same on andoff, is efiected by means of a key, and involving positive means ofoperation together with means for preventing tampering with the switchor accidental disturbance of the setting of the same in the open orclosed position as desired.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is a front elevation of my improvedkey controlled switch.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the cover.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation with the cover removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line 00 w of Fig.1.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the rotating member, the adjacent partsbeing indicated by broken lines.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the same with the parts in a. differentposition.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank for the locking plate.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 3/ 3 of Fig. 4.

My improved key-controlled switch comprises a box-like cover 10 on thefront wall of which is mounted a key-operated lock 11 and switchmechanism housed within the said cover 10 and which is operated by meansof a key inserted in the key slot 12.

Screws 13 passing through the top and bottom walls of the cover 10 serveto positively hold the cover 10 in position relatively to the saidswitch mechanism. Means are provided however to prevent the removal ofthe cover 10 even after the screws 13 are removed except at a certainposition of the lock 11, and which position can only be obtained by theuse of the key, whereby access to the mechanism is controlled by thekey, and the manner of doing this will be described.

The switch mechanism is mounted on a base 14, which may be made ofporcelain or other insulating material. The cover screws 13 engage withmetal straps 15 that are secured to the base 14. The said straps 15 areof U-shape, let into correspondingly shaped grooves 16 in the base 14,comprising a yoke portion 17 extending across the back of the base andshort parallel branch arms 18 that extend across the sides, of the saidbase. The cover screws 13 engage with the branch arms 18.

The U-shaped strips 15 constitute skeleton frames. Screws 19 hold thesaid frames 15 in place, the said screws passing from the rear forwardlthrough holes in the middle of the yokes 1;, the head portion of thesaid screws engaging with the said yoke 17. The said screws 19 passthrough suitable holes in the base 14 and have the nuts 20 on the frontends.

The screws 19 also serve to hold the looking frame 21 in place on thefront face of the base 14, the said plate 21 having a pair of lateralarms 22, provided with suitable holes for receiving the screws 19, thesaid arms 22 being interposed between the nuts 20 and the base 14. Y

The lock 11 is of the well known type, comprising a fixed body portion23 projecting forwardly from the front plate 24 of cover 10 in the formof a circular boss, and provided at the lower portion, below the center,with the barrel 25, having the key-slot 12, and which is rotated bymeans of a key of a particular form inserted in the said key slot 12. Onthe inside of the cover 10 the barrel 25 is provided with a cam 29 inthe form of a radially directed finger which serves as the means forcooperation of the L barrel can be turned only by means of the key. Thekey slot extends radially from the center of the barrel 25 to one sideonly. The

key is removable only when the key and keyslot are in one position,which position 1 have adjusted the parts to correspond to and haveselected as the position which is vertical and extends downwardly fromthe center of the barrel, corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 1.In this position of the barrel the radial cam finger 29 is atthe top, orturned 180 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, Ihave made this position of the barrel correspond to the position ofeither on or otl for the electrical contact devices of the switchmechanism.

Furthermore, in such on and -off positions of the switch the cover isnonremovable.

The cover is removable only when the cam 29 is in the position shown inFig. 3, being the lowermost position, and in which position the barreland key-slot are turned 180 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 1,the key-slot being vertical, and in the uppermost position. The key isnon-removable from the lock in the position described for the removal ofthe cover 10, wherefore the cover 10 and the key must be removedtogether as a unit. and the removal. of the cover is controlled by theparticular key that is adapted to the lock 11.

The body portion of the locking frame :21 is in spaced relation to themoving member to be described and is provided with a keyhole openingcomprising a circular portion 26 of suflicient size to admit thecircular rear end portion 28 of the barrel 25 and in registrationtherewith and a radial recess 27 opening outwardly from the saidcircular portion 26 of suiiicient size to admit the cam 29 when inregistration therewith. The radial recess 27 is vertical. and directeddownwardly from the circular portion 26, wherefore the cam 29 can beentered through the same only when in a corresponding position, which isthe position shown in Fig. 3 and as described is the position in whichthe key is non-removable.

lVith the cam in the position shown in the said Fig. 3 the cover can beplaced in position over the base ll and the mechanism supported thereby.then the key can be turned, bringing the cam 29 under the b0( y portionof the lot-king plate 21, thereby locking the cover in position, andwhen the key has been turned 180 degrees, bringing the barrel to theposition shown in Fig. l the key can be removed.

lhe cover screws 13 can be laced in position either before the key isremoved or afterward, as desired. The said screws serve to prevent theaccidental or unintentional removal of the cover While operating theswitch mechanism by means of the key.

The fixed electrical contacts as shown comprise a set oi? fourindividual contacts, arranged in pairs, suitably to be inter-connectedor dis-connected by meansof a pair of sector blades 30. Thus the twocontacts on each side 01 the vertical axis are spaced suitably to beinter-connected by the said blade 30, and the spacing at the top andbottom between the two upper and the two lower contacts is appreciablygreater than the width of the said blades 30, so that when the bladesare in the vertical position there will be ,a break between the bladesand the said contacts.

- The individual; contacts 31 are directed radially, being housed insuitable channels 32 in the base 14:, and comprise each astrip of metal,the body portion of which is perforated to receive a pairof securingbolts or screws 33, and are held. in place by nuts 3t, one of whichserves as terminal nut. to hold the line wire.

The inner ends of the contacts 31 are split, providing a pair offingers, one of which, shown as 35, is oil-set toward the front, and theother, 36, is o'd -set toward the rear, the spacing being suitable topermit the fingers and 36 to serve as spring contact members on theopposite faces of the sector blade 30.

The locking plate 21 comprises the body portion which has the key-holeslot as described, the branch arms 22 extending laterally from the saidbody portion, which are held in place by the screws 19, and may have apair of vertically directed arms 37 as additional securing means, heldin place by the screws 38 and Q9. The locking plate is furthermoreprovided with a pair of lugs 40 extending rearwardly from the bodyportion at the upper portion, one on each side of the upper arm 37, thatserve as stop lugs for the rotating member. Y 7

The base 14 has a circular recess 2 in which the moving member ishoused, and is provided with a stud ll projecting into the said space orrecess 42 on which the said moving member is rotatively mounted.

The said rotating member comprises a body portion 43 consisting of ablock of fiber or other suitable insulating material of annular form,having a hole at fitting the stud ll, and having at about the middle acircular groove l5 extending inwardly from the periphery. The sectorblades 30 are fan shaped, having each a curved inner edge to conform tothe inner wall of the groove 45 that fits against the same. and arefixedly held in place by a pair of rivets 46.

Mounted on the front face of the body portion or block 43 is a latchmember 47 of peculiar form, comprising a sector shaped mam part 48,having a hole for receiving the holding screw as, the outer corners 50of which are slightly depressed and embedded in the material of the bodyportion d3, serv ing as a born or fingers to positively position thesaid latch member 47.

The said main part l8 projects in front of the face of the body portionat and is in the path of the cam 29, suitably to be engaged thereby, andthrough such engagement to serve as the means for turning the movingmember when the barrel 25 is turned by the key.

Projecting outwardly from the middle of the outer periphery of the mainpart 48 is a lug 51 that is in the same plane as the stop lugs 40 on thelocking plate 21.

As the cam 29 is turned it engages with one edge or the other of themain part 48 and turns the moving member accordingly, the extent of suchmovement being limited by the engagement of the radial stop lug 51 onthe latch member 47 with stop lugs 40 on the locking plate 21. In suchlimited position the sector blades 30 are in position either to bridgeeach a pair of individual contacts 31 corresponding to the -on positionof the switch or at the intermediate or otfposition, according to theparticular direction that the cam 29 has been moved by the key.

As described, the key-controlled cam on the lock serves as the means forthrowing the switch on and ofii and also as the means for preventing theremoval of the cover when in either of these positions.

Also, the key is non-removable from the look when the cover is removablefrom the base and is removable only when the switch is in such on or offposition.

The switch mechanism is positively locked in both the on and 0Hpositions by locking means comprising on one side the cam in cooperationwith one side edge of the latch member and on the other side the fingerlug on the latch member in engagement with one of the stop lugs on thelocking plate.

I claim as my invention l. A key-controlled mechanism comprising arotatively operated, key-controlled cam, and mechanism cooperating withthe said cam, the said mechanism comprising a base having a stud, amoving member rotatively mounted on the said stud, stops for limitingthe movement of the said moving member, and a latch member on the saidmoving member for alternative engagement with one side or the other ofthe said cam.

2. A key-controlled mechanism comprising a rotatively operated,key-controlled cam, and mechanism cooperating with the said cam, thesaid mechanism comprising a base having a stud, a moving memberrotatively mounted on the said stud, stops for limiting the movement ofthe said moving member, a latch member on the said moving member foralternative engagement with one side or the other of the said cam, and acover serving as the support for the said cam and inclosing the saidmechanism.

3. A key controlled mechanism comprising a cover, a key-controlled camsupported by the said cover, mechanism housed in the said cover andcomprising a base, a moving member rotatively mounted on the said base,and a locking plate supported by the said base and having the bodyportion in spaced relation to the said moving member, the said cam beinghoused in the space between the said locking plate and moving member,and a latch member mounted on the said moving member and cooperatingwith the said cam.

a. A key-controlled mechanism comprising a cover, a radially directedcam rotatively mounted on the said cover, mechanism housed in the saidcover, comprising a base, a locking plate and a moving member housedbetween the said base and plate, the body portion of the said platebeing generally in spaced relation to the said moving member, and thesaid body portion having a key-hole slot for admitting the said cam tothe space between the said body portion and the moving member.

5. A. key-controlled mechanism comprising a cover, a radially directedcam rotatively mounted on the said cover, mechanism housed in the saidcover, comprising a base, a locking plate and a moving member housedbetween the said base and plate, the body portion of the said platebeing generally in spaced relation to the said moving member, the saidbody portion having a lrey-hole slot for admitting the said cam to thespace between the said body portion and the moving member, means on thesaid moving member for being engaged with the said cam, and means forlimiting the movement of the said moving member.

6. A key-controlled mechanism comprising a base, having astud, a movingmember mounted on the said stud, a latch member mounted on one face ofthe said moving member and having a radial stop finger, a locking platemounted on the said base, the body portion of the said plate beingopposed to the said face of the moving member and covering the saidlatch member, a cover inclosing the said base. a lock mounted on thesaid cover comprising a rotating barrel and a radial cam on one end ofthe said barrel, and the said body portion having a key hole opening forreceiving the said end of the said barrel.

7. A key controlled mechanism comprising in combination a base, a studfixedly supported by the said base, a rotating member mounted on thesaid stud, a latch plate on the face of the said rotating member and aradial lug also on the said member, a pair of fixed stops in spacedrelation and in line with the radial lug, a cover fitting over the saidbase, a key operated barrel mounted on the said cover and provided onthe inner end with a radial cam, and the said cam being in the sameplane as the said latch plate, and adapted to engage alternatively withone edge or the other thereof suitably to move the said plate so as toengage with one or the other of the said fixed stops.

8. A key controlled mechanism comprising in combination a base, a stud.fixedly supported by the said base, a rotating member mounted on thesaid stud, a latch plate on the face of the said rotating member and aradial lug also on the said member, a pair of fixed stops in spacedrelation and in line with the radial lug, a cover fitting over the saidbase a key operated barrel mounted. on the said cover and provided onthe inner end with a radial cam, and the said cam being in. the sameplane as the said latch plate, and adapted to engage alternatively withone edge or the other thereof suitably to move the said plate so as toengage with one or the other of the said fixed stops, a frame seri' ingas a support for the said fixed stops, the body portion of the saidframe having a key-hole slot for admitting the said end of the barreland cam when in one relative position. and for preventing the removal ofthe said cover in other positions.

9. In a key controlled switch, a base, a stud, and a stop fixedlysupported by the said base, a rotating member mounted on the said stud,a key-controlled barrel having a radial. cam, a latch plate mounted onone face of the said rotating member and provided with a radial lug, andmeans for fixing the position of the said rotating member comprising incooperation the said cam in inseam engagement with one edge of the saidplate and the said fixed stop in engagement with the said radial lug.

10. In a key-controlled switch, a base, rotating mechanism supported bythe said base, a cover fitting over the said base, a key controlledbarrel supported by the said cover and having a radial cam on the innerend, a frame supported by the said base having a key-hole slot forreceiving the said end of the barrel and cam when in one position, apair of fixed stops for limiting the movements of the said rotatingmember, and a mechanical contacting piece on the said rotating memberfor cooperating with the said stops and also for being operativelyengaged with the said cam.

11. A mechanism comprising in combination, a base, a rotating member inthe form of a unitary structure operatively supported by the said baseindependently of other supporting means, stop means for limiting therotative movement of the said rotating member, moving means for rotatingthe said rotating member from one limited position to the other, a covermounted on the said base and supporting the said moving means, and coverretaining means for engaging with the said moving means for preventingthe removal. of the said cover from the said base.

WILLIAM THIEDE.

Witnesses:

A. W. UPsoN, C. P. UPSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. c.

